From the Lawton Constitution
By James Finck, Ph.D.
As the summer continues to roll on and a few more road trips are behind us, I thought I would continue sharing songs from my ultimate road trip playlist. Last month, I listed my A artists, so it only makes logical sense to share my B’s. The B’s are mostly artists with a couple of songs each before finishing with a pair of heavy hitters.
I like to think that I was country when country wasn’t cool, but the problem with that is I think country, and Barbara Mandrell’s classic hit, have always been cool. Mandrell is a singer and actress, and for a time in the late 1970s and early 1980s was one of country music’s biggest stars. Twenty-five of her songs reached Billboard’s Top 100, with six climbing to No. 1, but her most enduring hit is still “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.”
Next is Big & Rich, the country duo made up of Big Kenny and John Rich. The duo burst onto the scene in 2004 with their single “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy),” and its unique mix of country, rock and hip-hop, along with its memorable lyrics, captured country music’s attention. While most duos have one singer taking the lead while the other sings background harmony, Big & Rich often sang both parts as lead through the entire song, making them distinctive. They were also founding members of Nashville’s MuzikMafia, which included artists like Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy. Today, they’re probably best known for opening ESPN’s “College GameDay” with “Comin’ to Your City.” On my ultimate playlist, I have “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” and “8th of November.”
The next two artists aren’t as well known as the rest of the list, but I really enjoy a few of their songs. When you listen to Billy Currington, you can hear his Georgia roots. His music combines traditional country with influences from Southern rock and beach music, giving him a relaxed, easygoing sound. However, his first single in 2003 was the serious “Walk a Little Straighter,” a song about an alcoholic stepfather. The songs that made my list are much lighter: “People Are Crazy,” “Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer,” and “Good Directions.” The other artist is Bryan White, who released his first single, “Eugene You Genius,” in 1994. He is known for his smooth vocals and heartfelt love songs that blend country and pop. The two songs that made my playlist are “Rebecca Lynn” and “So Much for Pretending.”
Hear me out before you start sending me emails on this next one. I was in high school when Billy Ray Cyrus released “Achy Breaky Heart,” and it became a smash hit, especially among non-country music fans. I still remember the music video of him and his mullet dancing across the stage. The song was the ultimate earworm, and as hard as I tried, it was impossible to get it out of my head. Cyrus later became just as famous for starring in “Hannah Montana,” which helped launch his daughter’s career, one that eventually surpassed his own. I do not have “Achy Breaky Heart” on my playlist, but I have always liked “Some Gave All” and “Could’ve Been Me,” both of which made the cut.
Next, BlackHawk was huge in the 1990s with several Top 100 hits. The group burst onto the scene with “Goodbye Says It All” in 1994. Their sound stood out because of their rich three-part harmonies, polished production, and strong use of instruments like the mandolin. Through emotional lyrics and memorable melodies, BlackHawk became one of the most successful country groups of their era. I included “Goodbye Says It All,” “I’m Not Strong Enough to Say No,” “That’s Just About Right,” “Like There Ain’t No Yesterday,” and my favorite “Postmarked Birmingham.”
Some may disagree with me here, but I included “Girl from the North Country” by Bob Dylan. I think it’s a country song and it’s Bob Dylan. Enough said.
The next artist is a legend. Buck Owens is one of the most influential figures in the history of country music. He was a pioneer of the Bakersfield Sound, a style featuring a more energetic approach with electric guitars and a rawer sound than the traditional Nashville style. His music helped shape modern country by blending honky-tonk influences with rock-and-roll energy, and his success made him one of the genre’s most important artists. Owens released his first single, “Second Fiddle,” in 1959 before going on to record 21 No. 1 hits. The three songs that made my playlist are “Streets of Bakersfield,” “I’ve Got a Tiger by the Tail,” and “Act Naturally.”
Now for the heavy hitters. What stands out about Brad Paisley is that while so many of his contemporaries were recording what I call “bro country,” Paisley stayed true to his country roots while blending in honky-tonk and bluegrass influences. He is known for his incredible guitar playing, clever songwriting, and ability to mix traditional country sounds with modern influences. I especially enjoy how he combines humor and storytelling in songs like “I’m Gonna Miss Her,” “Ticks,” and “I’m Still a Guy.” Yet he also has a softer side with songs such as “Whiskey Lullaby,” “He Didn’t Have to Be,” “We Danced,” “When I Get Where I’m Going,” and “Waitin’ on a Woman.” Then there are just plain great country songs like “Mud on the Tires” and “Old Alabama.” Of all the new artists who got started in the 2000s, he may be my favorite.
If it weren’t for Alabama, Brooks & Dunn might be the greatest country group of all time. The pair, made up of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, broke onto the scene with “Brand New Man” in 1991 and went on to record 20 No. 1 hits and 19 more Top 10 singles. Except for 2000, they won the Country Music Association’s Duo of the Year award every year from 1992 through 2006. They helped define the sound of 1990s country with their combination of traditional country, honky-tonk, Southern rock, and energetic performances. Their music stood out because of Dunn’s powerful vocals, Brooks’ songwriting, and songs like “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” which helped popularize country line dancing. This duo has such an important place on my playlist that there are simply too many songs to mention, but trust me, I’ve got all the good ones.
So there you have it: the B artists on the ultimate road trip playlist. Once again, let me know if I’m missing anyone important, and hopefully I can inspire you to add some of these songs to your own playlist. After all, if your entire family isn’t belting out “My Maria” at the top of their lungs, is it even a road trip?
James Finck is a professor of American history at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He can be reached at james.finck@swoknews.com.
Historically Speaking 